Candidate Statement

By Arne Simonsen

As a former member of the Antioch City Council from 2000-2008, I have a solid record of experience and action; including: personally lobbying Congress for $37 million to widen Highway 4, encouraging the Contra Costa Housing Authority to strengthen criminal background checks, recruiting employers to move to Antioch, and implement common sense solutions to save taxpayers' money and balance the City's budget.

Antioch's unemployment rate is 12.4%. There are over a thousand home foreclosures in Antioch. People are struggling.

The City left vacant open police officer positions and laid-off all 22 Community Service Officers to balance the budget. Yet, they still don't have the courage to stand up to special interests

If elected to the Antioch City Council, I will once again work to bring new employers and the jobs they bring, build our business tax base by streamlining the permit and approval process and cut the lengthy red tape that discourages business for expanding or attracting new businesses in Antioch.

I retired from the Navy after 24 years as a Master Chief Petty Officer, and retired from my second career as an Antioch small business owner. I earned my Bachelor Degree from the University of the State of New York.

Sylvia and I have been married for 42 years. Together we have three grown children and 6 grandchildren who all live in Antioch and attend (or will attend) Antioch public schools.

I believe our elected officials need to be held accountable. If you have any questions, please email me at arne@arnesimonsen.com or call me at my home (925) 864-2099.